A Guide to the Alaskan Malamute Coat, Colour & Markings Judging and Coat How long is too long? • NEVER LONG The guard coat must be of sufficient length to protect • NEVER SOFT the woolly undercoat, which the Standard states is 1 to 2 inches in length. Along the sides of the body the • NEVER TRIMMED (the exception is trimming of coat is generally around 1½ inches long, increasing to feet for neat appearance) 3-4 inches over the neck, back, rump and tail. The texture, composition and quality of the coat are an The undercoat must support the guard coat in order integral part of the Malamute’s ability to survive in for the Malamute coat to stand off the body. Any arctic conditions. In colder climates, a Malamute in appearance of draping or parting is an indication of an full coat will have such a dense undercoat it will be overly long coat. difficult to part to the skin. The woolly undercoat also Shedding & Adaptation to Climate has protective oils which may leave the hands feeling slightly soiled even though the dog is clean – these oils The Malamute will shed coat once or twice a year as a may be temporarily removed by washing. normal part of the breed’s natural coat cleaning and Baby puppies may not have a fully developed guard maintenance process. The Breed Standard states that coat giving them a “woolly lamb” appearance - this is the coat will be shorter and less dense during warmer acceptable in baby puppies. If you part the coat you months, indicating that the Malamute coat is expected should see darker guard coat coming through. A to adapt according to climate. triangular patch part way down the tail should be The density and length of the coats seen in Australia noticeably visible, giving an indication of colour and will be less than if that same Malamute were living in a texture. Extra fluffy coat behind the base of the ears colder climate, particularly in the warmer months. may be an indication of an incorrect coat. A Malamute that is shedding or with a less dense coat Providing that a Malamute’s coat complies with the should therefore not be penalised in favour of an requirements of the breed standard, the structure and exhibit with more coat but less desirable structure or soundness of the breed must be given priority when exhibiting unsoundness. The coat will change judging. Undue emphasis should therefore not be throughout the seasons and with changes of climate, placed on the “impressive” appearance of a more but the structure will not! profuse coat unless the exhibits are otherwise of equal The Illusion of Coat, Colour and Markings quality. A hands-on approach is required to determine the Why not Long or Soft? boning, depth of chest, height at shoulder etc. as well An overly long or soft coat are fatal flaws for a as the texture of the coat. Malamute living in arctic conditions and should be Coat can create the impression of substance and can penalised accordingly. The guard coat needs to be be used by the clever groomer to hide or “resculpt” sufficiently coarse to protect the undercoat, whereas a structural inadequacies. Profuse coat can give the soft coat would lack the ability to deflect wind, snow illusion of shorter leg and heavier bone. and rain and retain its insulating properties. Be aware that some markings can create an optical The long coat will part, exposing the undercoat and illusion which may be misleading. For example, a dark skin to the elements. In addition, the iceballs and bar extending down the muzzle will give it the illusion snow crust forming on the extremes of a long-coat are of being narrower than with an open face. Likewise, a not in close enough proximity to the body to be melted blaze can give the illusion of a narrower head, and a by the body heat and will stick to a coat of incorrect collar may give the illusion of a longer leg. texture (see images below). These iceballs build up, A dark coloured exhibit may give the illusion of being adding significant weight to the dog and compromising less substantial than the same sized exhibit with the coat’s insulating properties. lighter colouring. Any attempt to disguise a longer coat by trimming or Do not over-prioritise or be misled by coat - use your artificially texturise a soft coat is unacceptable. hands to measure and feel the structure of the exhibit.

Above are photographs showing puppies that have been playing in the snow. Note the ice balls that have formed on the long coated bitch. And note that the pup who has a full coat with guard hairs, has NO snow stuck to her. These photographs show the difference between long coats and normal coats. The 35 cm of snow they were playing in was very dry and powdery - just like sugar when you pick it up. One can't even make a snowball with it as it runs through your fingers like sand and blows away. However, it seems to ball up quite nicely on the fluffy's coat. "In judging the Alaskan Malamute, (its) function as a sledge dog for heavy freighting must be given consideration above all else." Excerpts from the ALASKAN MALAMUTE BREED STANDARD: GENERAL APPEARANCE - The coat is thick with a coarse guard coat of sufficient length to protect a woolly undercoat. Malamutes are of various colours. …. COAT - The Malamute has a thick, coarse guard coat, never long and soft. The undercoat is dense, from 2.5 - 5 cm (1 - 2 ins) in depth, oily and woolly. The coarse guard coat varies in length as does the undercoat. The coat is relatively short to medium along the sides of the body, with the length of the coat increasing around the shoulders and neck, down the back, over the rump, and in the breeching and plume. Malamutes usually have a shorter and less dense coat during the summer months. The Malamute is shown naturally. Trimming is not acceptable except to provide a clean cut appearance of feet. COLOUR - The usual colours range from light grey through intermediate shadings to black, sable and shadings of sable to red. Colour combinations are acceptable in undercoats, points, and trimmings. The only solid colour allowable is all white. White is always the predominant colour on underbody, parts of legs and feet, and part of face markings. A white blaze on the forehead and/or collar, or a spot on the nape is attractive and acceptable. The Malamute is mantled, and broken colours extending over the body or uneven splashing are undesirable.

Descriptive Colour and Marking Code Color Description Withers Spot — A white mark varying in size but centred Black and White — Black guard hair with black or dark on the withers or at the base of the neck. grey undercoat Chest Markings Seal and White — Black or black tipped guard hairs with Necklace — A curving band of dark colour across the white or cream undercoat. Dog appears black at a chest. distance but is not a true black because of the light Eagle — Two bands of dark colour protruding partially undercoat. across the chest forming a pattern resembling the eagle Sable and White — Black or grey guard hairs with a emblem. reddish undercoat and red trimmings. Both black and red factors evident. Face Markings Grey and White — Grey guard hairs with light grey, Cap — A cap of colour covers the top of the head and cream, or white undercoat. Dog definitely appears grey ears usually coming to a point in the centre of the even though there may be some black hairs on the forehead. topline. No red factor evident. Goggles — Dark areas under the eyes and extending Silver and White — Light grey guard hairs with white sideways to the cap. undercoat. Bar — A dark area extending from the centre point of the Red and White — A definite shade of red, either light or cap down the nose. dark; with light points (lip line and nose), and eye colour. Eye Shadow — Dark markings under the eyes but not No black factor evident. extending out to the cap. All White — Both guard hairs and undercoat are white. Star — A small white spot in the centre of the forehead. Often evidence of a mask in cream colour. Only solid Blaze — A white mark extending from the centre point of colour allowed. the cap back up the forehead. Width and length can vary. Trimmings — Shadings of gold, cream, buff, brown or Closed Face — Dark colouring covering the face with no reddish hues often found on legs, ears, tail and face distinct markings on the face. between white areas of the underbody and the dark Open Face — A cap covering the top of the head and no colour above. other markings on the face. Full Mask — The combination of cap, goggles and bar. Neck Area Mask — The combination of cap and goggles. Collar — A white band of colour encircling the neck. Can be full or partial. Mismarkings Undesirable, uneven splashings.

Important Points to Remember An Alaskan Malamute • Must have a double coat. The guard coat must be thick and coarse. The dog will have a shorter, less dense coat in the summer and in warmer climates (such as that in Australia). • Must NEVER have a long or soft coat. • Is a breed presented naturally. Artificial texturising and trimming (except on the feet) are unacceptable. • May be one of several different colour combinations and markings. None is given preference over the others. • Should not have broken colours extending over the body. • Needs a hands-on approach to judging – the coat, colour and markings can create misleading illusions. • Survival and functional characteristics should never be sacrificed in favour of cosmetic ones.

References: www.webpage-world.com/vicjudges/malamutes/malamutes.html www.alaskanmalamute.org “The Alaskan Malamute – Yesterday & Today” by BA Brooks & SE Wallis